The Yamaha MT-09 is a street motorcycle of the MT series with an 847–890 cc (51.7–54.3 cu in) liquid-cooled four-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three engine with crossplane crankshaft[1][9] and a lightweight cast alloy frame.[5] For 2018, the bike is now designated MT-09 in all markets.[10]
 2017 Yamaha MT-09 | |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Also called | Yamaha FZ-09 (North America; 2014–2017) |
| Parent company | Yamaha Corporation |
| Production | 2014–present[1][2][3][4] |
| Assembly | Japan |
| Predecessor | Yamaha FZ8 |
| Class | |
| Engine | 890.2–847.2 cc (54.32–51.70 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three |
| Bore / stroke |
|
| Compression ratio | 11.5:1 |
| Power | |
| Torque | |
| Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh |
| Suspension |
|
| Rake, trail | 25°, 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,440 mm (56.7 in) |
| Seat height | 820 mm (32.3 in) |
| Weight | 188 kg (414 lb) (claimed)[5] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal) |
| Related | |
Design and development
editThe MT-09 competes against the Triumph Street Triple, Kawasaki Z900, and MV Agusta Brutale 800.[11] It is intended to restore Yamaha's fortunes, as the factory has in recent years lost its reputation for innovation.[opinion][12] The MT-09's product manager, Shun Miyazawa, said Yamaha had considered parallel-twins, inline-threes, inline-fours, and V-twins, but that the inline-three gave the "best solution" of power, torque, and low weight. Comparing the MT-09 to the Street Triple, he said the Triumph was a streetfighter, but the Yamaha was a "roadster motard".[13]
Both the frame and the double-sided swingarm are made of lightweight alloy, which are cast in two pieces. The frame castings are bolted together at the headstock and at the rear, but the swingarm parts are welded together.[13] The MT-09 is the first Yamaha motorcycle since the XS750 and XS850 to be powered by inline-three engines. Both are shaft-driven motorcycles produced from 1976 to 1981.
In 2017, the MT-09 was updated with fully adjustable suspension, traction control, antilock brakes, slipper clutch, LED headlights, and updated styling.[2]
In October 2020, the MT-09 received the second update with a larger 890 cc (54 cu in) engine.[14]
Tracer 900/FJ-09/MT-09 Tracer
editThe Tracer 900 (FJ-09 in North America) is a sport touring model introduced in 2015 based on the MT-09. From 2016, in Europe and the United Kingdom, the name changed to Tracer 900 from MT-09 Tracer.[15] It differs from the MT-09 in a number of ways, including that it has a partial fairing, a larger fuel tank, ABS brakes, handguards, centerstand, a 12-volt power socket, traction control, revised fuel map, drive-by-wire throttle mapping with three selectable riding modes. The display is very similar to the XT1200Z Super Ténéré's. It also has LED headlights and taillight.[16]
Related models
editShun Miyazawa said buyers are moving away from the supersport bikes, adding, "(Yamaha) aim to create an older and younger brother and cousins (to the MT-09) - maybe the same capacity, but a slightly different concept".[13] This was translated into the creation of the MT-07 (FZ-07 in North America), the XSR700, the XSR900 and the MT-10 (FZ-10 in North America). The MT-10 is using the same engine from R1, albeit detuned from the factory.
Reception
editIn Motor Cycle News, Michael Neeves said, "The MT-09 starts an exciting new era for Yamaha" and "The MT-09 is a roadster for all occasions. It’s fun". However, the ride-by-wire throttle was criticised as "snatchy".[17] Cycle World's Kevin Cameron describes the styling as "V-Max meets Transformers Robot", "like a Supermono" and "an up-to-the-minute streetfighter, no bland revival of a 1970s' UJM. Call it a new synthesis."[18] Cycle World named the FZ-09 'Best Standard' of 2015.[6]
In an MCN 5-bike group test in 2015, the testers felt that the MT-09 Tracer was a better bike and better value than its four competitors, namely: a Triumph Tiger 800XRx and a Tiger Sport, a Honda Crossrunner, and a Ducati Hyperstrada.[19]
The US online magazine Cycle World stated "Handling, too, feels more refined and solid than ever." about the 2021 model year and added "The 2021 MT-09 is much more than an update, even if it’s just slightly less than an absolutely complete redesign".
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Dawes, Justin (11 June 2013), "2014 Yamaha FZ-09 First Look", MotorcycleUSA
- ^ a b c "AIMExpo News: 2017 Yamaha FZ-09 First Look Review". Motorcyclist. October 13, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ Kunitsugu, Kent (December 17, 2015). "Suzuki GSX-S750 vs. Yamaha FZ-09 - Budget Blasters". Sport Rider. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ Hoyer, Mark (June 19, 2015). "2014 Yamaha FZ-09 - LONG-TERM TEST WRAP-UP". Cycle World. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c Yamaha (2013), The Next Generation Sport Bike
- ^ a b "Best Standard: Yamaha FZ-09; Three cylinders, no waiting", Cycle World, 27 July 2015
- ^ a b Dirck Edge (11 June 2013), Yamaha Unveils 2014 FZ-09 850 Triple, Motorcycle Daily
- ^ a b Canet, Don (June 16, 2016). "Kawasaki Z800 vs. Yamaha FZ-09 - COMPARISON TEST". Cycle World. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "2016 Yamaha FZ-09". Motorcycle USA. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ Coldwells, Arthur (December 28, 2018). "2018 Yamaha MT-09 Review (14 Fast Facts)". Ultimate Motorcycling.
- ^ MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 12 & 13
- ^ MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 1 - "Yamaha Strikes Back!"
- ^ a b c MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 11
- ^ "2021 Yamaha MT-09 First Look". 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Turnup your Emotions". Yamaha Europe. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "MT-09 Tracer". Yamaha Motor Australia. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015.
- ^ Motorcycle News 4 September 2013, page 8 & 13
- ^ Cameron, Kevin (22 August 2013), "2014 Yamaha FZ-09 – Technical Review Yamaha shoots a $7990 bullet into the heart of boring bargain bikes with its new 847cc Triple", Cycle World
- ^ Motorcycle News 26 August 2015
External links
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